2 injured after U-Haul plowed into LA rally supporting Iran protests
- - 2 injured after U-Haul plowed into LA rally supporting Iran protests
James Powel and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY January 12, 2026 at 1:59 AM
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2 injured after U-Haul plowed into LA rally supporting Iran protests
At least 2 people were injured after a driver rammed a U-Haul truck into a crowd in Los Angeles on Jan. 11 that showed support for Iranian protesters, authorities and fire officials said.
Hundreds of people were demonstrating in Westwood, a neighborhood in Los Angeles near the federal building, in support of Iranian protesters when a U-Haul truck plowed into the group, KNBC and KABC-TV reported. Local TV stations described a chaotic scene as a large group of people surrounded the truck.
"We can confirm that a U-Haul truck plowed through a group of protesters this afternoon," the Los Angeles Police Department told USA TODAY. "We are still gathering information and do not have the number of injuries as of now."
Anti-government protests in Iran appeared to accelerate on Jan. 9, sparked by anger over the collapse of the country's currency and a broader sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders.
The uptick in unrest also comes as President Donald Trump warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington "will come to their rescue."See the scenes in Iran, beginning here on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Anti-government protests in Iran appeared to accelerate on Jan. 9, sparked by anger over the collapse of the country's currency and a broader sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders.
The uptick in unrest also comes as President Donald Trump warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington "will come to their rescue."See the scenes in Iran, beginning here on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SGKGgb7y_BAMlu1VR8SoRQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0yMjAz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/312483ade4c6c3ddebff4385f6a9f3a1 class=caas-img data-headline="See Iran's anti-government protests, huge crowds, unrest in photos" data-caption="
Anti-government protests in Iran appeared to accelerate on Jan. 9, sparked by anger over the collapse of the country's currency and a broader sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders.
The uptick in unrest also comes as President Donald Trump warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington "will come to their rescue."See the scenes in Iran, beginning here on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified.
">Anti-government protests in Iran appeared to accelerate on Jan. 9, sparked by anger over the collapse of the country's currency and a broader sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders.
The uptick in unrest also comes as President Donald Trump warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington "will come to their rescue."See the scenes in Iran, beginning here on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified.
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1 / 16See Iran's anti-government protests, huge crowds, unrest in photos
Anti-government protests in Iran appeared to accelerate on Jan. 9, sparked by anger over the collapse of the country's currency and a broader sense of hopelessness and disillusionment with Tehran's clerical leaders.
The uptick in unrest also comes as President Donald Trump warned Iran's authorities against killing peaceful protesters, saying Washington "will come to their rescue."See the scenes in Iran, beginning here on the streets amid anti-government unrest in Tehran, Iran, in this still image obtained from social media video released on January 8, 2026. Witnesses told Reuters protesters gathered in the streets on Thursday, January 8, however this video's date taken has not been verified.
Two people were evaluated at the scene, but both declined to be transported to the hospital, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
No other injuries were reported, and the crowd was "voluntarily dispersing" by around 4:43 p.m. local time, the fire department said. Earlier, the fire department reported that the size of the crowd was delaying their response time.
Videos shared on social media showed demonstrators attempting to pull the driver out of the U-Haul before police officers took him into custody. Authorities have not publicly identified the driver.
Videos also showed the vehicle's windows broken and angry protesters trying to punch the driver as officers escorted the man away. The Los Angeles Times reported that demonstrators hit the U-Haul and ripped off a sign attached to the vehicle that had a message in Arabic and another in English: "No Shah. No Regime. USA: Don’t Repeat 1953. No Mullah."
Protesters were marching in support of anti-government demonstrations in Iran, which have entered their third week and have resulted in hundreds of deaths. Human rights organizations have condemned the violent crackdown.
Iran protests: What to know about the anti-government demonstrations as Trump warns the country's leaders
As of Jan. 11, the Human Rights Activists News Agency has estimated that over 580 people have been killed since the unrest began in the Middle Eastern country. More than 10,600 people have been detained by authorities, according to the human rights group.
Iran has not provided any official figures. A government-imposed internet blackout has cut off much communication with those inside the country since Jan. 8, impeding the flow of information.
Contributing: Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: U-Haul driver plows in Los Angeles rally supporting protests in Iran
Source: “AOL Breaking”
